The Dastard by Piers Anthony Page A

complications, because they were usually another way of saying No.
    “This is true,” Ivy said. That was just as bad. The three little princesses had become expert at interpreting Adult-speak.
    “A complication?” Aunt Ida inquired politely. She was always polite, which meant that most folk underestimated her. The princesses had learned better. There was no magic quite like hers, though they weren't sure of its full nature.
    “We shall have to add two more to the secret,” Grey Murphy said.
    “Four,” Ivy said.
    The princesses counted rapidly on their digits. “But eight plus four is over ten,” Melody protested, running out of fingers.
    “In fact it's twelve,” Harmony said, having the wit to go on to her twinkly toes.
    “That's too many,” Rhythm concluded.
    “Are you sure?” Ida asked the Parents. She was really on the princesses' side, as she usually was, but she never opposed other adults directly. That was perhaps her one weakness.
    “We may be able to conceal the presence of adult-aged daughters,” Grey said. “But not the absence of juvenile daughters.”
    Ida nodded. Even Sim agreed. “Others would know you were gone in the first hour,” he peeped. “That would ruin the secret.”
    “The first ten minutes,” Ivy said grimly.
    The princesses exchanged three mortified little glances. That was true. The whole castle would feel the absence of mischief the moment they were gone. They couldn't expect their grown Selves to have the proper sense of mischief, adults were notorious for changing their ways the moment they joined the Adult Conspiracy.
    “So we shall need to elicit the support of your little friends Demon Ted and DeMonica,” Ivy said. “They will be able to emulate two of you at a time, and that may suffice. They will surely be glad to do it.”
    “But that's only two more,” Melody said.
    Grey Murphy shook his head. “Your mother is correct. Their parents will have to know too. At least their demon parents. There will be no keeping the secret from them, once their children are involved. For one thing, they will have to bring the children.”
    “Yes,” Harmony agreed reluctantly.
    “Twelve,” Rhythm said gloomily. “The secret will get out.”
    “Not necessarily,” Ida said. “The Rule of Ten indicates that a secret can be breached beyond ten, not that it will be. If everyone is circumspect, it may hold.”
    The princesses hesitated, not knowing what “circumspect” meant, but pretty sure it did not describe them.
    “Four of us will be away from here,” Sim peeped. “Does that bring the number down?”
    “No, dear,” Ida said. “Because four other Selves will replace you. However, they will indeed be more circumspect, so it should help.”
    “Well, let's do it,” Grey Murphy said. “We will notify the demons while you see to the transfer.”
    “It will be interesting to see our children all grown up,” Ivy said.
    “There is one other thing,” Ida said. “Such an exchange will be wearing on the fabric of reality, so we can achieve it for only one day.”
    “One day!” Ivy said. “That's hardly enough for them to get their bearings, let alone accomplish anything.”
    “I realize this makes it difficult, but I fear they will revert automatically thereafter.”
    “Perhaps it is one day for each of us,” Sim peeped. “That would make four days in all, for the group.”
    Princess Ida opened her mouth in a manner indicating an adult objection. But the three little princesses jumped in with a song and melody and beat. “A day each! A day each! Four days! Four days!”
    Ida looked slightly bemused, but she nodded. “Yes, that must be it. You have made it so. Four days, then.”
    “Their merged talent can at times prove useful,” Grey Murphy said with five-eighths of a smile. “Let's hope four days will be enough.”
    Ida nodded, and they departed. Then Ida turned to the princesses and Sim. “You may find this process odd, but not uncomfortable. Each of you